Flexible shield for a tile saw

Abstract

A plastic shield for a tile saw includes two vertical side panels, a back panel and a top panel, which in one embodiment are dismantlable separate panels. The components are quickly assembled together via slotted edges or connecting extrusions and when dismantled stack flatly within the water tray which is included as part of the tile saw apparatus. The tile saw shield is configured to allow normal use of the tile saw, without encumbering the user. It contains water from spraying out of the tray, to the extent that the tile saw can be used in an interior setting. In a second embodiment the shield is made of a flexible canopy with three sides and a top, supported by a bent rod frame which itself is secured in releasable fashion to fixed structure of the tile saw apparatus.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination with a tile saw having a tray with sides and a back and carrying a liquid bath and the tile saw having fixed structure including a motor driving a cutting blade over which the liquid passes and a movable stage on rollers facilitating movement of the stage by an operator toward and under the cutting blade to cut a tile carried on the stage, a tile saw shield positioned to substantially prevent liquid from spraying or splashing out from the tile saw and beyond the tray, comprising: a support frame formed of at least one rod contoured into generally an upper plane above the motor and having at least left and right sides and a back side thus defining an open frame, and including means for securing the support frame on fixed structure of the tile saw and for quick removal of the frame from the fixed structure, and   a canopy formed of flexible sheet material, the canopy having a top configured to fit generally on said upper plane of the support frame, and a back and two sides, the canopy having bottom edges extending down sufficiently to curve or fold back into the tray in a position such that liquid spraying or splashing out from the tile saw will drain down interior sides and back of the canopy and into the tray, and the canopy being of such size as to fit over the support and at least one side frame so as to drape downwardly with its back and at least one side extending out at least as far as the side and back edges of the tray,   whereby relatively large tiles may be cut without interference from the tile saw shield.   
     
     
       2. The tile saw apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for securing the frame to fixed structure of the tile saw comprises end portions of the frame being inserted into a frame receptacle bracket secured to said fixed structure, the frame receptacle bracket including means for closely and stably receiving the frame ends and for releasing the frame ends when they are pulled from the bracket. 
     
     
       3. The tile saw apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frame is formed of a single bent rod, formed generally into a rectangle forming the two sides and back and also forming a front portion and the rod having two ends comprising said frame ends. 
     
     
       4. The tile saw apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame receptacle bracket is secured to a housing of the motor. 
     
     
       5. The tile saw apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canopy is formed of flexible, translucent sheet plastic material. 
     
     
       6. The tile saw apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one side and the back of the canopy extend outwardly beyond the side and back of the tray, with ends of the side and back tucked into the tray over the side and back of the tray, and further including a wire frame formed of a singe piece of bent wire and having a back and side portions and being inserted into the canopy in such a way as to hold lower portions of said one side and back of the canopy in positions outward from the tray, whereby large tiles can be cut without obstruction by the canopy. 
     
     
       7. The tile saw apparatus of claim 6, wherein the canopy is large enough to allow cutting of 13" by 13" tiles. 
     
     
       8. The tile saw apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet material of the canopy is translucent. 
     
     
       9. The tile saw apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sides and top of the canopy are of sizes to extend less than to the front of the tray, leaving space for an operator to conveniently operate the tile saw.